Over at the Cranach blog, Dr. Gene Veith offers a few good thoughts on current trends in Christian videos for children. See here. Since we recently covered new Veggie Tales products here on the Burr, I thought I'd chime in.
Dr. Veith reviews a few of the current products and then ends with what I consider a piercing insight. He says:
The message of all of these DVDs is essentially moralistic. Yes, children need moral instruction. But would it kill any of these "Christian products" to say something about Christ?
Here following is the comment I posted on his blog:
I agree with Dr. Veith 100%. We are SUPPOSED to teach morals to our kids. Where else are they supposed to pick it up?Sphere: Related Content
But if the teaching of morals is the sole (or even chief) objective, then I am much happier with the animations that stay away from the bible stories. Teaching morality is not the central purpose of Scripture. Pointing to Christ the Savior is the central purpose of Scripture. To use the bible only as a story-book showing us proper behavior is to misuse God's Holy Word.
If our cute little videos lead our children (parents too) to think that the Bible is essentially about how to improve your behavior, we are leading them away from Christ, not toward Him. When the Bible is seen as a mere morality tale, and an oppressive one at that, people will turn in despair away from the very source which offers them life.
Dr. Veith sagely asks, "would it kill any of these "Christian products" to say something about Christ?" And I say, "NO, but it will kill the viewers if they don't." And not in the good way.
